Sun Safety

Published
May 21st, 2020

By Chad Young

As your family spends more time outside this month and into summer proper, don't forget to protect yourself from the sun's rays.

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As the kids start heading outside more, even if it’s only in the backyard, it’s good to have a reminder about the importance of staying safe in the sun. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the sun’s UV rays can damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes.

A sunscreen that’s at least 15 SPF is imperative, and remember it takes 30 minutes to be effective after application. The additional benefits of using sunscreen with SPF 50+ are limited. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers these current recommendations:

BABIES 6 MONTHS & YOUNGER

• Keep out of direct sunlight. Keep in shade. Dress in lightweight clothing covering arms and legs; use a brimmed hat to shade the neck.

• If there’s no way to avoid the sun, you can apply a minimal amount of 15 SPF sunscreen to small areas, including the face, neck and hands.

LITTLE & BIG KIDS

• Limit sun exposure between the peak hours between 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• Apply sunscreen with SPF 15 or greater to all areas of skin not covered by clothing. Reapply every two hours, or after swimming.